Federal Judge Blocks Trump's DEI Purge Agenda, Says His Language in Executive Order Is Too Vague to Be Enforced

A federal judge in Maryland has temporarily blocked portions of President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, citing concerns over vague language and potential violations of free speech.

U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson issued a preliminary injunction on Friday, halting efforts to cancel federal contracts with DEI components and to require contractors to certify they do not engage in DEI practices, The Washington Post reported. The ruling also bars the orders' enforcement against publicly traded companies and large universities with similar policies.

Trump's executive orders, issued in the early days of his second term, aimed to dismantle DEI programs in federal agencies, private businesses and higher education. The lawsuit contends that these measures have already led to job losses and forced companies and universities to reconsider their diversity initiatives.

The plaintiffs—a coalition of diversity officers, professors and labor advocates who sued to block the orders—argued that Trump's directives were overly broad and threatened constitutional rights to free speech and due process.

"The provision expressly targets, and threatens, the expression of views supportive of equity, diversity and inclusion," Abelson stated in the ruling, calling the attempt "textbook viewpoint-based discrimination.

The Justice Department has defended the executive orders, arguing they comply with federal law and that enforcement details would be clarified over time.

Members of Trump's administration have recently condemned government officials, including judges, who refuse to comply with Trump's orders. However, the White House has not yet commented on the ruling.